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Legion Way . A Historic Olympia Streetscape. “Sunshine Here for Armistice Day’s Parade” was the headline in the November 13, 1928 Daily Olympian Morning Edition.
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Legion Way A Historic Olympia Streetscape
“Sunshine Here for Armistice Day’s Parade” was the headline in the November 13, 1928 Daily Olympian Morning Edition. Hundreds attended the day’s festivities, which included a parade, the dedication of Legion Way, a community luncheon, and the planting of trees.
80 years later… Legion Way today is widely recognized as a historic and beloved streetscape.
Legion Way Street Trees 127 Trees Plum ST To Central ST 40-90 feet tall Red oak Pin oak Sweetgum 28 replacement/newer trees
What’s wrong with the trees? Until 1988, Legion Way had significantly more overhead utility lines. Tree topping was required to keep the branches clear from the lines. Trees on both sides of the street were topped.
You Can’t Top a Healthy Tree! • Topping trees… • Will not keep them small. • Is extremely ugly. • Is expensive. • Creates a hazardous situation. • Is no longer an acceptable arboricultural practice.
The Natural Structure of an Oak Oaks on Marine Drive. Never been topped.
Red Oak (Quercusrubra) Natural form (Marine Drive) Topped form (Legion Way)
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Natural form. Topped form.
Legion Way Tree Failures Branches fail from the point at which the trees were topped due to a weakened branch union. Whole trees fail from excessive decay within the trunk or excessive weight in the canopy. Failures occur year-round in all types of weather conditions.
Legion Way Tree Failures September 2006—Branch failure. Damage to two parked vehicles.
Legion Way Tree Failures December 2006—Branch failure.
Legion Way Tree Failures December 2006—Multiple branch failure.
Legion Way Tree Failures July 2009—Branch failure. Damage to residential property.
Legion Way Tree Failures October 2009—Whole tree failure. Tree split down the center of trunk.
Next Steps… Need: Assessment of Tree Health & Condition Management Plan Community Partners & Engagement Education & Outreach
Tree Assessment Last assessment completed in 2000. 2010 Assessment included 127 trees from Plum to Central ST. Results: 23 trees identified for immediate removal (1-3 years). 76 trees can be integrated into a long-term, phased approach to mitigation. 28 trees have been planted more recently, and are in good condition. All trees will need pruning throughout the implementation period.
Phase 1: 2010 A Legion Way Management Plan will address: Recognition of the historic importance of Legion Way Identification of partnership funding opportunities Community outreach & education opportunities Prolonging the life and ecological benefits of the streetscape Phased tree removal & replacement over a 15-20 year period Wood reuse & recycling New replacement trees
Phase 1: 2010 Identification and outreach to potential partners.
Phase 1: 2010 Removal of 7-10 trees.
Phase 1: 2010 November 11, 2010: Veteran’s Day Celebration & Tree Planting!